Moving from San Francisco to Basel in March

Gruezi,

We are relocating to Basel from San Francisco, for a 1 year expat assignment with Roche, with a 19-month old who thinks he is a teenager.

We have learned a lot from reading the forum threads. Any comments on the questions below :

a) Any particularly must-have items to bring from North America that are hard /expensive to find in CH. We get company accommodation in Basel, so don't need to bring furniture and fixtures. We will of course bring a good attitude.

b) Any recommendations/experiences with Basel bi-lingual day-cares for 2 year olds? Any nice anecdotes from the integration process?

c) Any significant differences between living in BS vs BL? I was wondering if taxes, and transport to center would be meaningfully different?

d) Are the electric outlets standardized and plug-adapters from North American easily found? Not voltage conversion, just plug-adapters, for cell/computer/etc.

e) any recommendations on mailbox service in Weil-am-Rhein for receiving amazon.de packages?

f) Any brockenhauses recommended to stop by to get used ski gear and kids toys.

Looking forward to our adventure in CH!